Legislators react to ruling on driver’s licenses for immigrants

State legislators are reacting to the Iowa Supreme Court ruling today (Friday) that upheld a Polk County District Court decision that denies illegal immigrants the right to get a driver’s license. State Senator Pat Ward, a republican from West Des Moines, is pleased with the ruling. She says, “I believe that people who’re here illegally should not be given preferential status and be treated as if they’re, uh here and citizens of our state. So. I’m very encouraged and believe the law ruled correctly.” Ward says getting a driver’s license is something that has to be earned. She says she believes citizens of our state have earned certain rights, “And these people are not even citizens of our country so I don’t think they should be given those same rights.”But Senator Jack Hatch, a democrat from Des Moines, says the push to allow illegal immigrants to get a driver’s license is not over. He says the immigrants themselves are asking for the law. He says, “They’re tired of driving illegally, they have to go to work. They’re here because employers are recruiting immigrants from Mexico and South American countries to come and work in their factories and their fields. While they’re here, they have to drive there.” Hatch says allowing the illegals to get a license would also allow them to get a bank account and car insurance. He says that’s better for everyone on the road. He says it’s an insurance issue as the individual who gets hit by an immigrant without insurance loses out on the claim. He says that creates gretter resentment of immigrants, but he says the immigrants want to be able to buy insurance and opperate under the laws of this country. Hatch says he’s cosponsoring a bill that requires the state to grant illegal immigrants licenses.